Monthly Archives: October 2006

Kite Power

Wind power is nothing new, but a power plant that can produce as much power as a nuclear reactor is. Imagine a spinning top that uses kites to rotate and that, in turn, generates an electrical current. Researches in Italy have done just that, they have created KiteGen.

“KiteGen’s core is set in motion by the twirl of the kites; the rotation activates large alternators producing current. A control system on autopilot optimizes the flight pattern to maximize the juice produced as it sails on night and day. A radar system can redirect kites within seconds in case of any interference: oncoming helicopters, for example. Or small planes or even single birds.

Research by Sequoia Automation, the small company near Turin heading the project, estimates that KiteGen could churn out one gigawatt of power at a cost of just 1.5 euros per megawatt hour. That’s nearly 30 times less than the average cost in Europe of 43 euros per megawatt hour.”

Sausage-Shaped Power Generator

waves Ocean Power Delivery is putting a sausage-shaped device that will generate electricity by floating on waves off the coast of Portugal.

“OPD will deliver three wave power generation units with capacity of 2.25 megawatts to Portuguese renewable energy group Enersis for $10 million, but the project could be expanded significantly, Norsk Hydro said.”

OPD is banking on making more of these generators because by 2010 the European Union requires 22 percent of electricity consumption to come from renewable energy sources.

I wonder if the technology behind this wave turbine is similar to what is being done in San Francisco.

Thanks to mkb for finding this good news!

Eat Like a Greek and Remember

A Mediterranean diet can help to fend off Alzheimer’s, according to a well-researched study. The diet is low in red meat and high in oils and lots of fruits and vegetables.

“In accordance with our previous results,” the authors wrote,” the associations between Mediterranean diet and Alzheimer’s disease remain unchanged and significant even when simultaneously adjusting for the most commonly considered potential confounders for Alzheimer’s disease, such as age, sex, ethnicity, education, APOE genotype, caloric intake, and BMI. Higher adherence to Mediterranean diet reduced risk for probable Alzheimer’s disease either with or without coexisting stroke.”

Water from Air

A company has created a way to extract water from plain old air. This is a great tool to help people in areas where water is scarce or hard to make potable. It can be a great help in areas hit by a disaster too.

“We figured out how to tap it in a very unique and proprietary way,” Sher said. “We figured out how to mimic nature, using natural salt to extract water and act as a natural decontamination.

“Think of the Dead Sea, where nothing grows around it because the salt dehydrates everything. It’s kind of like that.”

The 20-foot machine can churn out 600 gallons of water a day without using or producing toxic materials and byproducts. The machine was displayed on Capitol Hill last week where a half-dozen lawmakers and some staffers stopped by for a drink.

“It was very interesting to see the technology in action and learn about its possible implementation in natural disasters,” said Rep. E. Clay Shaw Jr., a Republican from Florida whose hurricane-prone district includes Fort Lauderdale.

The research and development into this technology was need-driven by the US Army wanting a way to keep soldiers fueled to fight. It’s unfortunate that this device is created out of a need to kill than a need to help live. That being said, this technology has lots of potential to help many people in need around the world.

Filly Wear

horseyMost people who think of horseback riding visualize the rich, wearing pants with ridiculously huge hip width.  Vancouver clothing line Miss Filly is trying to turn that idea on its head.  The clothes collection is not only fashionable, it also tries to help women and girls live a fulfillled life.

Miss Filly designer Heather O’Hara grew up with horses, despite not being rich.  O’Hara believes in the powerful bond between women and horses, and this is reflected in her clothing line.  Miss Filly includes shirts, hoodies, tank-tops, toques, and panties.  Designs include lassos, hay bales, and the trademark Miss Filly ponies.

The clothing line has worked with organizations such as the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, by contributing to fundraisers and riding scholarship programs.  O’Hara hopes to start a Miss Filly Foundation for inner-city girls and women at risk.  Clothing can be viewed on-line at the Miss Filly website.